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Bundaberg Reg
Regional
ional Coun
Council
cil
regional sport and recreation strategy
July 2010
Bundaberg Regional Council
regional sport and recreation strategy
July 2010
This Strategy has been prepared by:
ROSS Planning Pty Ltd
ABN 41 892 553 822
9/182 Bay Terrace
(Level 4 Flinders House)
Wynnum QLD 4178
PO Box 5660
Manly QLD 4179
“The Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy was developed in partnership with the Telephone: (07) 3901 0730
Queensland Government and the Bundaberg Regional Council to get more Queens- Fax: (07) 3893 0593
landers active through sport and recreation.”
© 2010 ROSS Planning Pty Ltd
This document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this
document in any form whatsoever is prohibited.
Table of Contents
1. Recommendations 1
Viability of Sport and Recreation Groups 2
Open Space and Council Planning 4
Maintenance and Improvement of Existing Facilities 7
and Programs
New Facilities, Programs and Initiatives 8
2 Purpose and Objectives 9
Purpose 9
Background 9
Study Approach 9
3 Background Research 11
Existing Plans and Studies 11
Demographics 13
Trends in Sport and Recreation 15
4 Demand Assessment 17
Consultation 17
Community Meetings 17
Sport and Recreation Clubs and Organisations 19
Sport and Recreation Clubs Survey 20
Schools Survey 26
5 Open Space 28
Open Space Outcomes 28
Guiding Principles 28
Open Space Classifications 29
Open Space Assessment 31
6 Appendices 33
Acronyms
The following acronyms are used in this Strategy:
AFC Australian Football Club
BRC Bundaberg Regional Council
BRL Bundaberg Rugby League
DSS Desired Standard of Service
DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management
DSQ Disability Services Queensland
EQ Education Queensland
HLG Healthy Lifestyle Group
PCYC Police Citizens Youth Club
NBT North Burnett Tourism
NSO National Sporting Organisation
QT Queensland Transport
SAB Sports Advisory Board
SRS Sport and Recreation Service (Department of
Communities)
SSO State Sporting Organisation
TQ Tourism Queensland
SECTION
recommendatIONS
1
This Bundaberg Regional Council Sport and Recreation Strategy
extends the 2006 Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy developed
by Bundaberg City Council and the Burnett Shire Council. It has not
been a complete re-write of this earlier document, but rather the
focus has been on integrating the needs of the Kolan and Isis Shires
into a Regional Strategy.
This document cannot be read alone. The background information in
the 2006 Strategy is still relevant excepting the information supplied
by sport and recreation clubs that is now included in Appendix 1.
The recommendations in this report though have included the 2006
recommendations as well as some outstanding ones from the 2004
Kolan Sport and Recreation Plan so that all recommendations are in
the one document1.
The Bundaberg Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy is an oppor-
tunity for Council to support and build upon the Region’s diversity of
sporting facilities, parks for locals and visitors, play spaces for children
and young people and pedestrian paths.
Implementation of the recommendations outlined in this Strategy
will continue the good results that the community and Council have
achieved over many years.
The recommendations of this Strategy are detailed below and are
grouped into four strategic areas. These are:
1. Viability of sport and recreation groups
2. Open Space and Council Planning
3. Maintenance and improvement of existing facilities and programs
4. New facilities, programs and initiatives
Priorities are assigned for each action. A “short” recommendation
should be undertaken as soon as resources allow while “Medium” (in
the next 2-5 years) and “Long” priorities (when resources allow) are
not as urgent. However, should resources become available, in most
cases projects can be brought forward. Prioritisation is often about
spreading the available resources rather than the actual timing of the
need.
1 Recommendations from 2006 that have been completed have been
excluded.
1
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
Viability of Sport and Recreation Groups
No. Recommendation Responsibility Priority
Lead Agency Partners
1 Develop a Sport Advisory Board with community and Sport and Recreation Services BRC SRS, Local Short and
membership. The membership should be reflective of facility managers and program Clubs Ongoing
deliverers in the region. The Sport Advisory Board could provide information to
Council on the needs in the region as well as assist Council in allocating its resourc-
es and developing policy responses to issues.
2 Liaise with Sport and Recreation Services to improve the coordination of an annual BRC SRS, Local Ongoing
process for clubs to notify changes to office bearers or contact details. Details Clubs
should free from privacy restrictions so that they can be distributed as required e.g.
a public request for details on clubs that play an activity they are interested in. Or-
ganisations should be encouraged to establish generic email addresses (e.g. hotmail/
yahoo or gmail) so that they do not change with a change of executive.
3 Use the Community Grants Program funding to assist organisations receiving fund- BRC Local Clubs Ongoing
ing under the Sport and Recreation Services’ Minor Facilities Program.
Under this program, applicants (must be incorporated not-for-profit clubs), must
have one-quarter of the total project cost while Sport and Recreation Services will
contribute up to three-quarters of the project cost. Budget permitting, Council
should consider providing 50% of the contribution of the club (one-eighth of total
project cost) subject to the club providing the same, and being successful in their
final application.
This process ensures the club takes responsibility for the project by financially
contributing, but the majority of project costs (seven-eighths) are borne by Council
(one-eighth) and the State Government (six-eighths), minimising the operational
impact on the club. As an example, by contributing $5,000 under this system,
Council would see the completion of a significant community project to the value of
$40,000.
4 Increase the promotion and celebration of local achievements by people and events SAB BRC, Local Ongoing
in sport, recreation and community by supporting the development of a reward and Clubs
recognition program.
5 Coordinate the updating of Sport and Recreation Services's and the Community BRC Local Clubs Short
Links data base (annually) as sport and recreation groups are dynamic with new
ones being formed and some disband regularly. Ensure other sport and recreation
information is current and useful.
6 Assist the YMCA to develop a strategic plan and master plan for their site (in the YMCA BRC Short
context of other developments and proposals). The Plans will direct development,
operational plans, budgets and Council support over the longer term.
7 Facilitate a program of education and training for sport and recreation groups across BRC SRS, SSO’s, Ongoing
the Region, focussing on identified training needs. Training and club development NSO’s
should focus on:
• strategic and business planning for clubs
• advertising and marketing
• volunteer management
• club governance and committee management
• asset management and maintenance.
8 In partnership with industry, community and Sport and Recreation Services, facilitate BRC SRS, SSO’s, Medium
practical maintenance and asset management training programs and encourage the NSO’s
implementation of a rolling program to improve the field and court surface condi-
tions and the quality of lighting. This could include bringing specialists to the region
to advise and assist sport and recreation groups to undertake field surface condition
testing from which maintenance and watering regimes can be developed.
9 Assist the Moore Park Beach Football Club and Moore Park Netball Team to MPBSC BRC Short/ Me-
prepare a feasibility study and develop a master plan (acknowledging other possible dium
community needs) for a site adjacent to the Moore Park School. The feasibility study
should consider planning, development, management and funding options.
2
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
No. Recommendation Responsibility Priority
Lead Agency Partners
10 Pilot a biennial forum for key community based sport and recreation organisations. BRC SRS, SSO’s, Short and
The forum should aim to: NSO’s,Volun- then every
• educate the volunteer club sector in appropriate management techniques teer Organi- two years
• promote Council’s plans and policies sations
• gather information for Council’s planning and open communication with the
sector
• reward volunteers
• promote and encourage physical activity and healthy eating in the community,
and
• provide information on innovative program and planning responses.
The forum could be delivered in partnership with Sport and Recreation Services and
should provide a platform to coordinate the delivery of information for the benefit
of both community and Council.
11 Assist and support key sports to develop and implement facility asset management Local Sporting BRC Short/ Me-
and master plans to clearly guide future development decisions. Initially provide sup- Clubs dium
port to the following:
• Bundaberg and District Tennis Association
• Bundaberg Amateur Cycling Club
• Bundaberg Basketball Association
• Bundaberg Rowing Club Inc
• Bundaberg Rugby Football Club and Bundaberg Cricket Association (Salter
Oval)
• Childers Aerodrome
• Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club
• Gin Gin Sports Reserve
• Western Suburbs Leagues Club.
12 Improve the long term use and condition of Kendalls Flats sports fields by: Bundaberg BRC Short/ Me-
• developing an asset management plan including backlog and forward Cricket dium
maintenance requirements
• develop a cooperative implementation program with the user groups/
management committee
• providing disability access to facilities
• providing sight screens
• maintaining a minimum standard of active playing surface (level surface).
3
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
Open Space and Council Planning
No. Recommendation Responsibility Priority
Lead Agency Partners
13 Review achievement of this Sport and Recreation Plan annually and report progress BRC SAB Ongoing
to Council.
14 Continue Council’s role in creating local environments that support active, healthy BRC SAB, HLG, Ongoing
communities and lifestyles. Key Stake-
holders
15 A rolling program of recreation park improvements (e.g. concept plans, minor and BRC Ongoing
major park improvement schedules) to meet contemporary community expecta-
tions and Australian standards requirements.
16 Improve the level of directional signage to key sport and recreation facilities to assist BRC QT, Local Ongoing
visitors in locating them. Clubs
17 Continue implementation of the Bundaberg Regional Council Multi–Modal and Walk BRC QT, SRS, TQ, Short to
Cycle Plans. NBT Long
18 Commence the development of regional walking/ cycling opportunities by finalising BRC QT, SRS, TQ, Short (plan-
the walk–cycle route from Bundaberg City to Bargara and commencing its construc- NBT ning) Me-
tion. dium/ Long
(construc-
tion)
19 Adopt the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and Sport Strategy. For all regional BRC Short
facility developments establish working parties with the relevant organisations to
plan and deliver the improvements required for regional level status (also see rec-
ommendation 51).
20 Complete the master plan of the Bundaberg Recreation Precinct. BRC Key Stake- Short
holders
21 Review Council’s lease/ use agreement policies with a view to: BRC Lessees
• making policy consistent across the regional council area
• developing alternative and more efficient models of management for existing
providers
• improving awareness of policies and procedures
• clarifying roles and responsibilities
• including performance measures and development requirements in agreements
• increasing the involvement of key Council Officers in the granting and renewal
processes.
22 Develop an open space plan for the Regional Council area that meets the needs of BRC Key Stake- Short
the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. An up-to-date open space plan will allow Council holders
to levy an infrastructure charge on new developments and to provide the recreation
and sporting open space the community needs.
23 Liaise with Council’s Planning staff concerning the need to protect, through Council’s BRC Short
Planning instruments, hard-to-locate and noisy sports. In any amendments or rewrit-
ing of the Planning Scheme, establish provisions that will protect groups involved in
these activities from being relocated due to encroaching residential activity.
24 Investigate and plan for a district level recreation park in Childers. Embellish with BRC Community Medium
high quality, innovative playground items and facilities for families.
25 Develop a brochure promoting use of Councils’ parks and walk–cycle networks. The BRC QT, Local Medium
brochure should include: Clubs
• maps of the network
• information on the facilities provided in each park, including playgrounds,
barbecue and picnic facilities, disabled facilities and toilets
• parkland attractions, key nodes and location of facilities and amenities
• information on distances between nodes.
The brochure should be widely distributed across the region, on Council’s website
and be made available to new residents and at tourist information points.
26 Investigate the long term open space value of Bundaberg City’s refuse facility (Uni- BRC Medium
versity Drive) prior to its closure as this site has the potential to augment particular (planning)
open space, sport and recreation needs. with Long
(implemen-
tation)
4
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
No. Recommendation Responsibility Priority
Lead Agency Partners
27 Develop a policy and range of strategies to relocate existing field sporting uses away BRC Medium
from valuable foreshore land, especially at Burnett Heads and Bargara.
28 Consider options and determine a preferred location for a neighbourhood level BRC Medium
sports/ community facility accessible to the Burnett Heads community. There is the
need to ensure that the site is well located and has few restrictions that will impact
on the long term use and development (e.g. lighting, noise).
29 Over time, develop concept master plans for all district level and signature recrea- BRC Community Medium
tion parks. The following are priority parks:
• Boreham Park
• McGladdery Court Park
• McCarthy Street Park 2 / Frank Gilbert Drive
• Queens Park
• Federation Park
• land acquired adjacent to Moore Park School (currently undeveloped)
• a new recreation reserve in Childers
• a new recreation reserve in Gin Gin.
30 Develop a plan to ensure that the noisy and hard-to-locate sports (motor and BRC Key stakeholders Medium
shooting sports) are not driven from their homes or Bundaberg Region by expand-
ing residential development. The rural areas in the west of the LGA also offer oppor-
tunities for new facilities that should be explored—particularly for motor sports.
31 Establish the rights users have to stored-water bodies and publicise to avoid on- Sunwater BRC, BMRG, Key Short/ Me-
Stakeholders
water conflicts (e.g. at the Bucca Rowing Course). dium
32 Review Council’s resource allocation policies including: BRC Local Clubs Medium
• review the policy of allocating water to sports clubs to establish a more
equitable and sustainable basis (e.g. consider field condition or sport code
requirements rather than just the number of fields). As an example an option
is to research appropriate field watering benchmarks for Bundaberg and apply
accordingly for sports clubs. This can be supported by training (most clubs
over–water or use water inefficiently) and capital improvement programs (e.g.
sensor automated irrigation). A monitoring and evaluation program should also
be established for the benchmarking and policy.
• review mowing and maintenance support. Establish an improved framework
for delivery that allows community organisations/ clubs to undertake these
operations in a more cost effective and efficient manner. (e.g. establish
mowing standards, such as cuts per annum and height, assist clubs sharing
sites to acquire mowers that meet their needs and determine obligations and
resourcing).
33 Develop an Outdoor Recreation Strategy. This Strategy would establish the opportu- BRC WBROC, Medium
nities and priorities for the development of outdoor recreation opportunities in the NBRC, Key
non-urban areas of the region. If possible, combine with other local governments of Stakeholders
the Wide Bay Burnett, and in particular, North Burnett Regional Council.
34 Acquire land central to urban development along the coast of at least district park BRC DERM, EQ Long
size (10 hectares minimum) for the development of a multi–purpose sports facility.
35 Work with the key stakeholders of the Bundaberg Racecourse to undertake a man- Bundaberg BRC, Key Long
agement and development plan to guide the development of the organisation and Race Club Stakeholders
the site. This planning should include:
• investigating the feasibility of relocating the premises to other sites or
consolidating other compatible uses on the existing site
• increasing sporting and recreation use of the site (particularly for the inner
track) and
• improving the connection and presentation of the site with the surrounding
land uses.
The study should ensure that tenure and development options maximise eligibility
and access to grants and subsidies.
5
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
Maintenance and Improvement of Existing Facilities and Programs
No. Recommendation Responsibility Priority
Lead Agency Partners
36 Identify options to support to those organisations who have identified their needs in Sporting Or- BRC Ongoing
either this Plan or through other development plans lodged with Council or Sport ganisations
and Recreation Services, in particular:
• Across the Waves – Australian Rules and various softball clubs (Frank Coulthard
Complex) – upgrade lighting and canteen facilities
• Alloway Country Club – lighting upgrade
• Avondale Rugby League – new dressing shed
• Bargara District Little Athletics – upgrade toilet and storage facilities
• Bargara Football Club – upgrades to facilities at Neilson Park
• Bucca Horse and Sports Association – new amenities
• Bundaberg Amateur Cycling Club – upgrade lighting
• Bundaberg Athletics Club – upgrade athletics track to a synthetic surface
• Bundaberg Basketball – upgrade of outdoor courts, lighting of outdoor courts
• Bundaberg BMX – additional seating and shade structures
• Bundaberg Cricket (Juniors, Seniors,Veterans) – field resurfacing, sight screens
and amenities upgrade (Kendalls Flats)
• Bundaberg District Tennis – umpire chairs and facility developments
• Bundaberg Hockey – lighting of grass fields (Hinkler Park)
• Bundaberg Netball – increase court numbers, court resurfacing and shade
structures
• Bundaberg Rowing Club (City facility) – new administration, training and
storage facility
• Bundaberg Rugby League – drop in/out wicket
• Bundaberg Rugby Football Club, Bundaberg Cricket Association and Bundaberg
Rugby Club (Salter Oval) – further lighting to outer fields
• Bundaberg Softball – increase number of diamonds, lighting to diamonds, ground
improvements, additional seating/ shade
• Bundaberg Touch Association – shade structures, clubhouse development/
extension/ all weather area, upgrade existing lighting, further lighting of fields
• Burnett Heads Lighthouse Angling Club – boat ramp at Littabella Creek
• Burnett Zone 7 Pony Club – covered arena
• Football Bundaberg – replace unsafe grandstands
• Gin Gin District Pony Club – upgrades to Pony Club grounds
• Gin Gin RLFC – Upgrade lighting and develop new amenities (after a master
plan is completed)
• Isis Deep Sea and Off-Shore Fishing Club – boat ramp upgrades
• Isis District Horse and Pony Club – various facility improvements at Apple Tree
Creek
• Isis District Small Bore Rifle Club – develop new facilities (toilets/ showers/
change rooms etc)
• Isis Tennis Club – court surface upgrades
• Moore Park Beach Community Association – hall improvements
• Moore Park Surf Life Saving – provide disability accessible toilet
• Saxon Archery – extend clubhouse and storage
• Surf Life Saving – long term regional office accommodation.
• West Bundaberg Athletics Club – upgrade athletics track to a synthetic surface
• Western Suburbs Rugby League & Western Suburbs Softball Club (Jubilee Park)
– lighting upgrade and ground improvements
• Woodgate Tennis Club – court surfaces repairs and replacement.
37 Council’s Youth Development Officer work with youth services organisations to BRC Local Clubs, Ongoing
deliver joint school holiday programs for young people. Youth Groups,
Service Pro-
viders
6bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
No. Recommendation Responsibility Priority
Lead Agency Partners
38 Continue involvement in the support of community sport and recreation events. BRC Local Clubs Ongoing
Council’s current assistance includes:
• publishing an events calendar on the Council website
• development and promotion of a self–help event kit for sporting groups
• promoting sporting events in regular publications (e.g. emails and newsletters)
• helping organisers to establish contact with the appropriate people in Council
for operational issues, such as negotiating temporary access for car parking or
park bookings
• in-kind assistance.
39 Council to support and encourage sport and recreation organisations to upgrade Local Sporting BRC, DSQ Ongoing
facilities to improve disability access. Clubs
40 Investigate and undertake improvements to the Region’s Skate Park facilities includ- BRC Community Ongoing
ing:
• providing shade over and around the facility either with trees or artificial
structures (Bundaberg, Burnett Heads/ Gin Gin and Childers)
• improve the mix of users by proving a broader range of facilities that cater to a
range of ages
• upgrade the toilets and access to users (Bundaberg Skate Park)
• provide more seating (Burnett Heads Skate Park).
41 Conduct a disability audit of Council-controlled facilities. Encourage sport and rec- BRC DSQ Short
reation organisations, where they control the facility, to also undertake similar audits.
42 Work with and encourage the PCYC to undertake a feasibility study on the pro- PCYC BRC Short
posed conversion of the outdoor court to a dedicated gymnastics venue. This should
also include the development of a master plan for Barber Park to ensure appropri-
ate layout and development requirements are achieved and that community use is
optimised.
43 Work in partnership with all school (private and State) to improve the community BRC EQ, Local Medium
use of sport and recreation facilities. Sporting
Clubs
44 Investigate the feasibility of providing a therapeutic water environment at Norville BRC Long
Pool. This may be achieved through undertaking minor modifications and program-
ming changes. As the population ages a facility of this type will be increasingly
required.
7bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
New Facilities, Programs and Initiatives
No. Recommendation Responsibility Priority
Lead Agency Partners
45 Support and facilitate partnerships (e.g. HeartStart,YMCA, PCYC, Healthy and Ac- BRC Key Stake- Ongoing
tive Communities) to develop a range of physical activity programs initially aimed at holders
target groups (e.g. men’s health program; walking programs, pram stroller’s/ single
parents’ program, physical activity for the disabled).
46 Investigate construction of bike dirt jumps or challenging play facilities at: BRC Community Short/ Me-
• Yandaran in consultation with school children dium
• the emerging communities around the suburbs of Branyan and Elliott.
47 Develop a master plan for the Bundaberg Airport Sports Park including the reloca- BRC Key Stake- Short
tion of the athletics facility to ensure the appropriate mix of users and maximum holders
outcomes for indoor and outdoor sports are realised.
48 Develop a range of strategies to attract and host major sporting events to the region BRC Local Sporting Short
Clubs, NBT
49 Undertake a feasibility study for a new state level swimming complex in the BRC Key Stake- Short
Bundaberg Region holders
50 Coordinate the facility needs of all athletics clubs and plan for a single major facility. BRC Athletic Club, Short
A management plan needs to be developed to accommodate multiple clubs’ needs in SSO
the single facility.
51 For all regional facility developments in the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation BRC Key Stake- Short to
and Sport Strategy establish working parties with the relevant organisations to plan holders Long
and deliver the improvements required for regional level status (also see recom-
mendation 18). Working parties will be required to advance the following facility
recommendations:
• a synthetic athletics facility in Bundaberg
• a 4-court indoor facility in Bundaberg (for basketball and other indoor sports)
• a dedicated gymnastics facility in Bundaberg that meets regional standards
• upgrades to amenities and facilities at Monduran Dam
• various upgrades to Bundaberg Showgrounds including arenas, spectator access
and arena lighting
• additional facilities and amenities at the Bundaberg Rowing Club
• a 20 Bay indoor pistol facility and another 25m turning target range at the
Bundaberg Pistol Club
• a new regional level swimming complex facility in Bundaberg.
52 Identify options to support key sporting and recreation organisations who have iden- Sporting BRC, DERM, Short to
tified the need to acquire land to meet current and future demand in particular: Organisations SSO’s Long
• AFL
• Rugby Union
53 Plan for the replacement of the Isis War Memorial Swimming Pool. Part of the plan- BRC Medium/
ning should include a feasibility study that reviews appropriate sites and considers Long
the facility mix.
54 Plan for the upgrading of the Gin Gin Swimming Pool. An upgrade may include addi- BRC Long
tional pools with a leisure focus. Part of the planning should include a feasibility study
that considers the facility mix.
8SECTION
purpose and
Objectives
2
Purpose
As stated in the Project Brief, the purpose of the project has been:
“To develop a Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy by
identifying present and future demands in sport and recreation
in the region and developing guidelines for the Regional Council
to provide for the existing and future demand, based on existing
information, detailed community profiles, consultation, research,
identified needs and analysis.
More specifically, the purpose of the project is to:
• develop a regionally focused strategy establishing the links
and needs shared by previous council plans leading out
to a single Sport and Recreation Strategy for the newly
formed Bundaberg Regional Council.
• develop a strategic framework to guide sport and
recreation planning, facility development, management,
maintenance and administration within the Bundaberg
Regional Council.
• develop a plan that provides a coordinated and rational
approach to the provision and development of infrastruc-
ture and opportunities for recreation and sport within the
Bundaberg Regional Council.
• create a 5 year action plan and identify longer term issues
(for up to 10 years) for the region to work together with
sporting organisations for the development of sport and
recreation in the region”.
The Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy will provide detailed
strategies, policies and recommendations to guide council over the
next 5 years while incorporating major long term issues (up to 10
years)
Background
In 2008, Bundaberg Regional Council was formed through the amal-
gamation of Bundaberg City Council and the Shires of Kolan, Burnett
and Isis. Each of these local governments had some form of sport and
recreation planning and, where relevant, this Strategy has built upon
these.
In 2006, Bundaberg City Council and Burnett Shire Council, as they
were known then, jointly developed the Regional Sport and Recrea-
tion Strategy. The two Council’s worked together on the Strategy as
they realised that each respective community used facilities in the
other’s—with Bundaberg providing many of the higher level sport
facilities and Burnett Shire providing most of the outdoor recrea-
tion experiences. As many of the recommendations in this Strategy
have not been met, or are only partially met, they have been carried
forward into this Strategy where they are still considered relevant.
Kolan Shire Council developed their second Sport and Recreation
9bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
Plan in 2004 and it had a 15-year time frame. Recommendations, • undertake consultation including:
where backed by consultation and analysis in 2010, have been inte- − Council Officers
grated into this Strategy. − a survey of organisations (all organisations in the former
Kolan and Isis Council areas and organisations that
The 1999 Isis Shire Sport and Recreation Facility Plan was also made
participated in the 2006 Bundaberg Burnett Regional Sport
available but this Plan is considered too old to add any value.
and Recreation Strategy)
In April 2010 the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and Sport − a cross-section of sport and recreation providers in
Strategy was completed. This Strategy reviewed the needs for regional Childers and Gin Gin
(and higher level) facilities across the six local governments1 that − community workshops in Gin Gin, Bundaberg and
make up the Wide Bay Burnett. Childers—to offer an opportunity for the community
to meet the consultants and discuss their wants, needs
A number of recommendations in this report relate to facilities within and desires. The Bundaberg workshop was focussed on
the Bundaberg Regional Council area and are taken into considera- reconfirming the existing recommendations and priorities
tion in this Strategy. − a survey of schools.
• analyse the information and develop the draft Bundaberg
Regional Council Sport and Recreation Strategy
Study Approach • review the draft Bundaberg Regional Council Sport and
Recreation Strategy with Council officers and amend as required
The study approach has been to build upon existing strategies and following a three week public display
other information. Given the resources available for the project, and • finalise the project.
the fact that the former local governments of Bundaberg and Burnett
have recent and comprehensive strategies, consultation has been
primarily focussed upon the former shires of Kolan and Isis.
However, the community of Bundaberg was given the opportunity to
consider and update information and priorities in the existing Strat-
egy and sport and recreation clubs that contributed to last Strategy
were given the opportunity to update their information.
Broadly, the study approach used has been to:
• review existing plans and strategies and incorporate information
where relevant
• review the demographics for the regional council area
• inspect open space areas in Gin Gin and Childers as well as key
sporting hubs or facilities
• analyse the quality of open space in Gin Gin and Childers
• provide updated information on sporting and recreation trends
1 The Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett and
Gympie Regional Councils and the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
Paradise Dam
10SECTION
Background
research
3
Existing Plans and Studies
Existing plans need to be recognised in this study as this Strategy will
build upon them.
As mentioned earlier, this Strategy builds upon the 2006 Regional
Sport and Recreation Strategy to include the former shires of Isis and
Kolan while updating some of the information within the former local
governments of Bundaberg and Burnett.
Bundaberg Regional Council Corporate Plan
2009 - 2014
Following the amalgamation of the four local government areas into the
Bundaberg Regional Council a new Corporate Plan was developed.
The Vision adopted for the region—an expression of how the region
might desirably look in the future—is:
Bundaberg Region – Vibrant, Progressive, Connected and Sus-
tainable.
The Corporate Plan identifies four outcome areas where it needs to
achieve if it is to realise the vision. There are various strategies within
each outcome area. The outcome areas are:
1. Community
2. Environment
3. Economy, and
4. Governance.
Of most interest to this study is the Community outcome area and
the following strategies:
4.1.1 Outcome: A safe, active and healthy community
Strategy—provide a range of leisure, physical activity and recreation
programs to help meet basic community needs
4.1.2 Outcome: Equitable access to adequate services and well main-
tained facilities
Strategy—plan, provide and maintain or facilitate a range of leisure,
physical activity and recreation services and facilities to help meet
basic community needs.
Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and
Sport Strategy
Over the next 25 years, the Wide Bay Burnett is expecting a popula-
tion increase in the order of 180,000 people and it is important that
the lifestyle infrastructure is in place to support this population.
In developing the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and Sport
Strategy, information was sought to identify the region’s future recrea-
tion and sport requirements. The identification of these was to assist
Councils within the Region to plan for future land and facility provi-
sion in areas that will have the population to sustain them.
11bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
This Strategy focused on a range of regional level sport and recrea- Physical Activity and Healthy Living
tion facilities (not local level and not State or higher level facilities).
Regional, as used in this Strategy, means serving the needs of the In the 2006 Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy there was a
Wide Bay Burnett or a significant proportion of it. discussion of Council’s role in Physical Activity.
Despite their ability to host regional level competitions, most facilities Back then, Council being involved in influencing physical activity was
also host local level competitions on a regular basis. Regional level a relatively new role. Nowadays, many Councils are realising that they
competitions may, in many instances, be held only a few times per can be quite effective in increasing physical activity and are seeing
year. The local level competition is important for the viability of the physical health, mental health, social and cultural, economic and envi-
facility. ronmental benefits in their community.
Recommendations were made generally as well as for a number of Bundaberg Regional Council, in partnership, works with the Healthy
sports. The recommendations below have been extracted from the Lifestyle Group to promote improved physical activity in the com-
report and are now also reflected in the recommendations of this munity.
Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy. The relevant recommenda- Since 2006 there has been a recognition that “healthy eating” is also a
tions are: societal problem that links to health and physical activity. In 2009 and
• 2.6.1 Local governments, when reviewing or drafting new 2010 the Queensland State Government has been promoting widely
planning schemes, include provisions to protect existing and the benefits of healthy eating (as well as increased physical activity)
potential sites for noisy and hard-to-locate sporting facilities as a tool to reduce health costs and improve people’s quality of life.
• 8.1.1 Construction of a new synthetic Athletics facility at Again, local government is well placed to effect some of this change.
Bundaberg Information from the Queensland Government notes:
• 8.2.1 Set land aside in Bundaberg for a new AFL oval
“Physically inactive Australian adults are costing the health
• 8.2.4 Lighting installed at Brothers Sports Club and Across the
care system an avoidable $1.5 billion a year. More than half of
Waves (for the playing of AFL)
Queensland adults are not getting enough physical activity for
• 8.3.1 Construction of a new 4-court indoor facility at Bundaberg
good health, and only 12 per cent consume the recommended
(for basketball and other indoor sports)
serves of vegetables and 53 per cent consume the recom-
• 8.10.1 Construct a new dedicated (gymnastics) facility in
mended serves of fruit per day. Regular physical activity and
Bundaberg that meets regional standards
healthy eating reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2
• 8.13.1 Upgrades to amenities and facilities at Monduran Dam
diabetes, obesity, breast and bowel cancer, depression and anxi-
• 8.15.5 Installation of lighting at the Bundaberg Kart Club
ety.These chronic diseases are now the major cause of death
• 8.17.1 Upgrade the Bundaberg Netball Association to regional
and disability in Australia, estimated to be responsible for nearly
standards
80 per cent of all disease and injury and more than two-thirds
• 8.20.3 Upgrade to Bundaberg Showgrounds including arenas,
of the total health expenditure.
spectator access and arena lighting
• 8.21.1 Construct additional facilities and amenities at the There is strong national and international evidence that the
Bundaberg Rowing Club built environment can help people to develop and maintain
• 8.25.1 Construction of a 20 Bay indoor pistol facility at the healthier lifestyles. Councils can play a role in shaping the built
Bundaberg Pistol Club environment through their urban planning processes, provision
• 8.25.2 The construction of another 25m turning target range at and maintenance of infrastructure and facilities in their commu-
the Bundaberg Pistol Club nities, and also through their leadership power to bring together
• 8.28.2 Construction of a new (regional level swimming complex) various agencies and community groups to create supportive
facility in Bundaberg1 environments for physical activity and healthy eating”.
• 8.32.1 Construction of a long distance (walking) trail from
Bundaberg to Bargara. To effect change, the Government suggest that Council’s can use
their:
• corporate planning tools
• operational planning tools
• local law and policy matters
• gis/analysis tools, and
• funding and awards opportunities.
Some of the suggested Healthy Eating actions that Council’s can
undertake include:
• breast-feeding and baby care facilities
• community-supported local food systems and agriculture
• limiting access to fast food and increasing access to healthy foods
• signage regulation
• policy – food availability through council operated venues and
functions
• mapping of key health statistics at the local level
• community grants and award opportunities.
1 Queensland Swimming advised that Bundaberg needs a new facility/ Key information can be found at activehealthycommunities.com.au.
complex with a 50m pool, a 25m pool, automatic timing, additional amenities
and parking. Norville Pool does not currently meet regional level facility standards
due to shallow depth warm-up pool (that cannot have starting blocks). Bundaberg
is a key location in the Region being close to transport and a central point between
Rockhampton and Brisbane
12bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
Demographics
In Table 1, selected demographics are shown for Bundaberg Regional Council with a comparison with the State of Queensland.
Table 1: Selected demographics for Bundaberg Regional Council
Characteristic Bundaberg Regional Council Queensland
Number of People 82,965 3,891,568
Age Profile
Aged 0 to 4 5.9% 6.6%
Aged 5 to 14 14.8% 14.1%
Aged 15 to 24 11.4% 13.8%
Aged 25 to 44 22.9% 28.2%
Aged 45 to 64 27.7% 25.0%
Aged 65 to 74 9.8% 6.6%
Aged 75 and over 7.6% 5.7%
Median Age 41 36
Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity
Identifies as Indigenous 2.7% 3.3%
Born in Australia 82.4% 75.2%
Born Elsewhere 10.9% 17.9%
Speaks only English at home 91.8% 86.4%
Speaks language other than English at home 3.0% 7.8%
Household Composition and Income
Family households 73.8% 72.7%
Lone person households 23.4% 22.8%
Other households 2.8% 4.5%
Mean Household Size 2.5 2.5
Household income under $350 per week 20.4% 15.1%
Household income under $500 per week 31.4% 20.6%
Family Composition
Couples without children 45.4% 39.2%
Couples with children 37.3% 43.3%
One parent families 16.3% 15.9%
Other families 1.0% 1.7%
Highest level of Schooling
Year 12 or equivalent 30.1% 45.9%
Year 10 or equivalent 37.1% 29.9%
Year 8 or below 13.6% 8.2%
Did not go to school 0.5% 0.5%
Other Characteristics
People needing assistance with core activities 6.6% 4.2%
People undertaking volunteer work 21.8% 20.3%
Dwellings with an internet connection 54.2% 64.8%
Dwellings with no motor vehicle 7.6% 8.2%
Dwellings with one or more motor vehicles 92.4% 91.8%
Source: ABS 2006 Basic Community Profile (Release 1) cat no: 2069.0.30.001 and Planning Information and Forecasting Unit (Department of Infrastructure and Planning)
Population and Housing Fact Sheet 2009.These figures are an aggregate of the census collection districts that most closely align with the boundaries of these areas.
13bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
The population of the aggregate Regional Council area was 82,965 at Figure 3: Age Distribution for Bundaberg Regional Council to 2031 (Department of
the 2006 census (the Census was undertaken two years before amal- Infrastructure and Planning)
gamation so the four local government areas have been combined for
this analysis).
The Department of Infrastructure and Planning’s 2008 Population
and Housing Fact Sheet indicates that population growth was above
2%p.a. in both years prior to 2008 (annual increase of 1,916 and 2,376
in 2005/06 and 2006/07 respectively). It is expected that growth will
continue. Population projections as prepared by the Department of
Infrastructure and Planning (see Figure 1) project a 2031 population
between 122,000 and 141,000 with a medium series projection at
130,548, nearly 50,000 more residents than in 2006.
Figure 1: Population projections for Bundaberg Regional Council (Department of
Infrastructure and Planning)
Year Projected Population The percentage of households with an income of under $500 per
Low Medium High week (31.4%) is significantly higher than that for the whole of
Queensland (20.6%), indicating that the average household in the area
2011 95,013 96,196 97,694 has a lower level of income, so low-cost activities must be provided
2016 100,914 103,762 107,056
Otherwise most population and demographic characteristics are
2021 106,855 111,472 116,697 similar to Queensland (or are not likely to significantly affect sport
2026 113,929 120,453 128,057 and recreation activities).
2031 122,260 130,548 141,324
Figure 2 shows the age distribution of Bundaberg Regional Council’s
population in 2006. With a median age of 41, compared to Queens-
land at 36, the local government has a somewhat older population.
People aged 15-44 are under-represented in the local population.
Figure 3, also prepared by the Department of Infrastructure and
Planning, shows the projected age distribution of the 2031 population
(with a comparison to the 2006 population).
What stands out is the very significant increase in the percentage of
the population aged 65 or more. This group will move from about
17% of the 2006 population to about 26.5% of the 2031 popula-
tion. This means that more than one quarter of the population of
Bundaberg Regional Council will be aged over 65 by 2031. This is
likely to increase the need for walking paths, heated pools and areas
for light recreation (e.g. indoor bowls and card games) as these type
of activities are favoured by older people.
Figure 2: Age Distribution for Bundaberg Regional Council in 2006
30.00%
BRC
Queensland
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
0 to 4 5 to 14 15 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 64 65 to 74 75 and over
14bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
Trends in Sport and Recreation The Play Experience
To an adult, play is a way to pass time, with no immediate useful
Sporting Trends product. To a child however, play is doing something interesting or
Councils face an increasing trend to develop and re-develop sporting enjoyable that they are in control of. Through play, children can be
fields to a higher level in order to increase carrying capacity. Up- anyone, at anyplace, at anytime.
grades, such as field lighting and irrigation, allow training and competi-
To a play-planner, play is the outcome of a sophisticated interaction
tion times to be extended and increases the ability of fields to cope
between the physical setting, the play opportunities and the child
with the resulting wear and tear. Given the current water challenge
users. When carefully planned, a play facility instantly delivers benefits
facing most of Queensland, this strategy may conflict with the re-
to the delight of the child users. It can also have wider benefits such
quirement to reduce water consumption.
as promoting the child’s physical, emotional and social competencies,
Some sporting clubs have reported a decrease in membership over or by providing a community asset for either active or passive enjoy-
recent years. This may well be partly due to an ageing population but ment. Children at play should be seen as an integral component to
is probably also a reflection of changing lifestyles where employment any public park facility.
and the greater range of pursuit available makes people reluctant to
lock-in to rigid seasons of sport. What, Where and How do we Play?
Most sporting clubs have good facilities that meet their needs, though The criterion of a successful play experience is whether children want
there are still requests for facility upgrades to make them attractive to return. Play experiences need to incorporate many or all of the fol-
to current, and potential new, members. lowing characteristics:
• Physical form—the play area needs to be adapted to the physical
Bundaberg Regional Council’s current sport and recreation facilities landscape (rocks, trees, and gullies) and supplemented by man-
have an outdoor focus. What came through the consultation and the made variations (mounds, bridges, platforms). It can beneficially
inspections is a need for better indoor facilities. reflect the local sense of place or identity.
There is likely to be some pressure on Council to assist with planned • Child and adult participants—consider the local demographics
upgrades as well as new facilities as the groups will be unlikely to within the user groups. There is a need to offer separate areas
meet the costs on their own. Obtaining State Government grant as- for different age groups (2-5 years, 5-12 years, and 12+ years),
sistance will be important in defraying some of these costs. while providing for active adult supervision or for adult passive
watching.
Recreation and Physical Activity • Safety—the play area should be accessible to all, including the
physically challenged and supervisors with prams. The design
Factors such as age, gender and family life-stage can impact on the must incorporate safety standards to prevent traumatic events,
type of activities and frequency with which people recreate. For but still provide challenge and invitation to explore.
example, current trends show: • Invitational design—this tends to be subtle, so that children
• walking is the single most frequently undertaken activity across spontaneously move between play opportunities - exploring
the Queensland population (32.0%) and discovering, using their imaginations to create new uses for
• along with walking, aerobics/ fitness, swimming, cycling and infrastructure or loose parts (water, sand, and leaves), interacting
running are in the top five activities for Queensland residents with each other and utilising rhythm, movement, co-ordination
• there is substantially higher participation in informal, and balance.
unstructured activities than in organised sports When an area for play cannot deliver on the four points above, then
• older people are more likely to participate in informal, the users will be less than satisfied and will not want to return.
unstructured activities with young people being more likely to
engage in organised sports A Play Experience versus a Playground
• women, older adults, married people (or those in de-facto
relationships), people in lower income households and obese A play experience is, or should be, vibrant and exciting—whereas a
people are less likely to participate in sufficient physical activity. playground is just the infrastructure that is provided. The difference
is somewhat like that between a mountain bike ride and a stationary
Table 2 details the physical activity preferences in 2007 and the bicycle. More importantly, a play experience does not innately require
changes since 2001. the installation of structured play equipment. Interesting and interac-
tive places to play and explore may be created by designing magical
Table 2: Physical activity preferences of Queenslanders
Activity Total Participation Rate % change 2001-2007
2001 2007
Walking (other) 28.8 33.0 23.7%
Aerobics/fitness 13.0 20.2 68.4%
Swimming 16.0 12.0 -18.6%
Cycling 9.5 9.7 10.6%
Running 7.2 7.6 14.8%
Tennis 9.2 5.8 -31.2%
Walking (bush) 5.3 5.7 16.6%
Golf 8.2 5.6 -26.2%
Football (outdoor) 3.7 4.2 23.9%
Netball 4.1 3.2 -15.4%
15bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
and evocative landscapes. This may include sculpting the earth or uti-
lising the natural contours, planting (for example, vegetated tunnels or
mazes, forests) and/ or utilising various textures and materials such as
creative paving patterns (stepping stones, steps, edgings for balancing).
A play space may incorporate interesting views or vistas, showcase
art or innovation (mobiles and alternate energy sources), sculptural
park furniture, landscape structures or buildings.
Play experiences may incorporate elements such as:
• storytelling/ sculpture trees
• labyrinth/ mazes/ tunnels of plants
• hidey holes
• mist water play
• meandering paths
• meeting places
• water jets
• musical play.
The common characteristic in all of these elements is that the infra-
structure suggests (but never dictates) how it is to be used. Moreover,
each element can be used in many ways—common sense says that a
toddler will use a mist water play area quite differently to a 12 year
old child.
Such unstructured play needs to complement and be integrated with
other recreational facilities to encourage active recreation for chil-
dren, youth and adults. Examples include:
• basketball courts/ hoops
• play structures/ equipment
• cycling/ pedestrian networks and skill development trails/ circuits
• attractive open space areas for ball games etc
• water play parks
• surfaces and markings for games such as hopscotch and handball
• swings for all ages including adults
• flying foxes/ climbing walls
• fitness stations/ training equipment.
The images on this page show various forms of play experience, quite
different from the traditional playground.
16SECTION
Demand
Assessment
4
Consultation
Consultation was undertaken to understand the wants, needs and
desires for sport and recreation in the community.
Broadly, consultation was undertaken with:
• the community through three, open-invitation, community
meetings
• a survey to clubs in the old Kolan and Isis Shires
• an update opportunity for sport and recreation clubs that
provided information to the 2006 Bundaberg and Burnett
Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy
• interviews with a sample of sport clubs
• a range of Council officers
• swimming pool staff
• various community groups.
The results of this consultation are detailed below.
Community Meetings
Community meetings were held in Bundaberg, Gin Gin and Childers.
Bundaberg Community Meeting
The purpose of the Bundaberg Community Meeting, as explained
earlier, was to revisit the issues, priorities and recommendations from
2006.
Comments made during the meeting were:
• upgrading the Daphne Eddes Netball Courts—part of the
current court surface needs to be replaced as water is getting
underneath. An improved surface would allow higher level
competitions to be attracted
• the Bundaberg Cycle Group spoke of their ageing facility—it has
Community Meeting in Childers not been updated since the 1970’s. The facility can only host local
events. It is classed as a track, not as a velodrome, which is what
the Club would like. The Club is in discussions with Council on
improving its facilities
• Council’s limited resources are spread thinly across the Region
making it hard to make a real difference
• facility maintenance is the responsibility of Clubs. While it
can be expensive, it is the Club’s role and clubs should have
an asset management plan in place. Council can assist though
when upgrades (e.g new, better or extended facilities) are being
undertaken. Clubs need to be seeking grants from the State and
Federal governments to assist themselves with new facilities
• facility viability is generally increased through greater usage.
Where appropriate, multi-use facilities should be developed (or
potentially multi-club facilities where a number of clubs build and
share a facility)
• sports field lighting is required in various locations. Along the
coast, lighting needs to be turtle-friendly. A lack of lighting is
holding some sports back (e.g. junior AFL)
• a Sports Advisory Board or similar would assist Council
17bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy
understand what is happening in the sporting community club has a lease. There was some discussion around needs for car
• strong support for the Bundaberg to Bargara Cycleway to be parking and general tidying of the area. It was also suggested that
developed the horse stables on Childers Showgrounds could be relocated to
• as the population is ageing, facilities should recognise this Appletree Creek. One activity that struggles for area at Appletree
growing demographic Creek is polocrosse and it was suggested that they may fit on the
• the club sector needs the skills to manage their activity and airport site—they need 4ha of land.
the club’s operations. Skill upgrading in governance, volunteer
Clubs are finding it difficult to meet all government and legal require-
recruiting and retention, club management and others are
ments and generally remain viable. It was suggested that there should
required. A comment was also made that there are too many
be fewer, stronger clubs, to meet these challenges.
clubs and some consolidation needs to take place
• communication from Council on relevant matters was rated well. Heating of the Isis pool to extend the season was supported. The
Comments concerning open space and parks included: pool is well used now but activities could continue further into the
season if the water was heated.
• a brochure and map detailing what facilities are provided in each
park would greatly assist new residents Other discussions concerned:
• playgrounds should be shaded • more footpaths are needed in parts of Childers
• safety lighting in parks should be considered. • sporting clubs are not sure what support they can get from
Childers Community Meeting Council or the State government and do not get regular mailings
(or emailings) from Council
A well attended community meeting in Childers discussed many • the indoor sports stadium gets limited community use as
aspects of sport and recreation but one of the early themes was the access has to be arranged through the School. Council needs to
lack of land available for sport and recreation in the town. It was formalise an agreement with the School to get community use.
noted that there are no large or signature parks and, generally, a lack
of parks. Gin Gin Community Meeting
Given the topography of the town (i.e. hilly) it is difficult to find flat Early discussion in this meeting was about access to and facilities
areas for field sports. The Isis Airport, about 6 kms to the east just at major water areas. Paradise Dam has part of its boundary with
off the Bruce Highway is reasonably flat and there is sufficient land Bundaberg Regional Council and this section provides a “natural”
here for future field sports. The site has been cleared in the past but camping experience (no change was requested). Of more concern
there has been some regrowth that would need to be cleared again. was getting shared use of Bucca Weir with the Bundaberg Rowing
A downside of this site is that there is limited public transport to the Club. There was significant discussion at the meeting, and also it was
site and cycle access along the highway would be dangerous. reported, on the water, about who can use the facility and when.
There was not a definitive answer at the meeting but it needs to be
The Childers Showground is the only dedicated sports field in the established.
urban area and it is used for training and game play Monday to Friday
by either touch football, rugby league, soccer or little athletics as well Along the Burnett River there was a call for more overnight camping
as general community use. There is little time available in the schedule facilities and a boat ramp at Smiths Crossing.
for maintenance of the turf. Childers High School has an adjacent field The Gin Gin Soccer Club plays on fields at the Gin Gin State School.
and through an agreement with Council is available for community There are some restrictions upon their use of this area, including
use. restrictions on marking the fields, building facilities and storing items.
Pony Club activities are undertaken at Appletree Creek where the The Club does have facilities at Bullyard Community Hall but does
not use them. These facilities are about 15 kms from Gin Gin which
is, apparently, too far for many parents to take their children so these
facilities have not worked for the club (see photos). It was suggested
that the Gin Gin Sports Reserve become multi-purpose and include
the soccer club.
Views of the Bullyard soccer fields and
Community Hall
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